Antoine Semenyo set to miss eight weeks with knee ligament injury

Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo is expected to be sidelined for about eight weeks after suffering a knee ligament injury in Saturday’s 3-2 Premier League win over Ipswich Town.

The Ghana international came on as a substitute in the 77th minute at the Etihad Stadium, but was later seen limping.

The injury initially appeared to be potentially serious, but Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca said scans had provided some relief before Tuesday’s Champions League match against AEK Athens.

“In the first moment we expected the worst injury and we were more worried. After yesterday’s scan we feel much better because it’s not so big like we expected,” Maresca said.

He added: “He could be out for eight weeks, and in this moment the most important thing for him is recovery. When he is back around December, he will feel like a new player in terms of energy.”

Semenyo has scored two goals and supplied three assists in the Premier League this season, making his absence a setback for City during a demanding period of the campaign.

The 26-year-old had also been considered as an option to play as a central striker while Erling Haaland was unavailable. His injury means Maresca must now look for alternative solutions in attack.

“To lose Antoine is not good. We said we could use him as a nine in the absence of Haaland but now we have to try and find new solutions,” Maresca said.

Semenyo’s projected recovery period could keep him out of November’s Premier League meeting with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. It may also prevent him from featuring in City’s Champions League trip to Barcelona in December.

The forward will now concentrate on his rehabilitation, while City assess their attacking options in his absence.